"We started this process to make sure that every voice in this district was heard," Bonner stated. "After the first day of counting provisional ballots, we determined that there were simply not enough remaining votes to close the gap."

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Bonner reported that he had called Rep. Micozzie that afternoon to concede the race.

"I wanted Representative Micozzie to know that I am ready to give him any help that he needs to serve the needs of this community," said Bonner. "While this particular race is now over, I will continue to fight hard for the people of this community for better schools and lower property taxes."

The unofficial voting tallies that were reported Wednesday afternoon which included all of the 163rd's precincts had Micozzie receiving 14,003 votes to Bonner's 13,649 for a 354-vote margin of victory.

Bonner stated that he would like to thank everyone who supported him in his run for office and also to everyone who voted in this election.

The race for the 163rd District of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives will come down to a tally of provisional and absentee ballots, even though one candidate has already claimed victory.

Incumbent Republican state Rep. Nick Micozzie issued victory statements on Tuesday and Wednesday in his bid to be elected to an 18th consecutive term, but Democratic challenger Sheamus Bonner remained silent Wednesday, declining to comment on the race.

Unofficial voting tallies were reported Wednesday afternoon with all of the 163rd's precincts in. Micozzie received 14,003 votes to Bonner's 13,649 for a 354-vote margin of victory. Before the final machines were counted, Micozzie led by just 119 votes.

"I work hard in Harrisburg to fight for the interests of our local residents, and I thank voters for recognizing my efforts by re-electing me to the Pennsylvania House," Micozzie stated in a press release issued Wednesday afternoon.

Delaware County communications officer Trish Cofiell said processing of provisional ballots would begin this morning in the county council meeting room of the Government Center in Media, while official vote tallies would begin Friday in the same place.

Cofiell was not certain of the number of absentee or provisional ballots that had been cast in the 163rd District.

"Provisional ballots will be checked by the people in Voter Registration because they have to be sure the voters are eligible," Cofiell said. "The absentee ballots are a little easier because their eligibility has already been determined beforehand in the precincts."

Reached by phone on election night, Delaware County Democratic Party Chairman David Landau said he believed his party held a significant advantage in absentee ballots, which could determine the winner of the race in the 163rd District.

"I believe we may have as much as two-thirds of the absentee votes in the county," Landau said, qualifying that the belief was based on anecdotal reports from poll watchers.

That, combined with a tremendous Democratic showing in the county for President Barack Obama, gave Landau hope that Bonner could pull out a victory and unseat one of the longest-serving representatives in state history.

"We're still optimistic that Sheamus will prevail in the race," Landau said Tuesday night. "(He) ran a great campaign. At the end of the day, we think he'll win it."

Obama carried Delaware County and Pennsylvania on his way to a second term in the White House. All Delaware County state representative races went to incumbent candidates.

The 163rd District is made up of parts of Upper Darby, Ridley and Darby townships, and all of Clifton Heights, Lansdowne and Aldan boroughs. Micozzie edged Bonner in all of those municipalities, with the exception of Lansdowne Borough. Bonner garnered 3,974 votes to Micozzie's 1,696 for an advantage of 2,278 votes. Micozzie topped his opponent by 765 votes in Upper Darby, 610 votes in Ridley, 672 votes in Darby Township and by 101 votes in Aldan.

Results in Clifton Heights weren't finalized until Wednesday afternoon, when the last three machines in the borough reported in. Micozzie netted a 478-vote margin there.